Archive for the ‘Hors-d’oeuvre’ Category

Buckwheat Noodles

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
  • 2 0z (50g) plain wholemeal flour
  • 6oz (175g) buckwheat flour
  • 1 egg
  • Water to mix
  • Sea salt to taste – optional

Method

1. Combine the two flours in a bowl, then add the salt.

2. Add the lightly beaten egg.

3. Gradually stir in enough water to make a firm but pliable dough.

4. On a floured board knead the dough until smooth and elastic.

5. Divide the dough into two pieces, then roll out as thinly as possible; dust with a little more flour.

6. Set aside for an hour or so to dry out.

7. Roll each piece of dough up to make a sausage shape; then use a sharp knife to cut into very thin strips. Do not press too hard or the dough will stick together.

8. If you wish to cook the noodles immediately, unroll them, then drop into boiling salted water and simmer for 10 minutes. Rinse before adding other ingredients.

9. If they are not for immediate use, unroll the noodles, then set aside to dry. (As they do not contain any preservatives, they cannot be kept for long).

White Chaudfroid

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

50 g leaf gelatine
1 litre bechamel or veloute
125 ml cream (if necessary to improve the colour of the sauce)

Method

1 Soak the gelatine in cold water.
2 Bring the sauce to the boil.
3 Remove from the heat.
4 Add the well-squeezed gelatine and stir until dissolved, and correct the seasoning.
5 Pass through a tammy cloth.
6 When the sauce is half cooled mix in the cream.

Avocado Mousse

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Ingredients

1 large avocado

juice of 1 lemon seasoning

60 ml mayonnaise

60 ml aspic jelly or 1 or 2 sheets gelatine

60 ml double cream or unsweetened vegetable creamer

salad vegetables for garnish

Method

  1. Cut the avocado in half, remove the stone and peel.
  2. Pass through a sieve or liquidise in a food processor.
  3. Add the lemon juice and seasoning and place in a bowl.
  4. Stir in the mayonnaise and aspic jelly or the soaked, melted gelatine.
  5. Place on ice and stir until setting point, then carefully fold in the beaten cream.
  6. Pour into individual china serving dishes or dariole moulds.
  7. When set, unmould the darioles onto plates and decorate with lettuce, tomatoes, radish and cucumber.

Avocado with kiwi fruit

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Ingredients:

  • 2 avocados
  • 2 kiwi fruits
  • radicchio salad dressing

Method:

  1. Peel, halve and remove the stones from the avocados.
  2. Peel the kiwi fruit and cut in slices crosswise.
  3. Slice the avocado crosswise and arrange with the kiwi fruit on a bed of radicchio.
  4. Serve a salad dressing as desired, e.g. lemon vinaigrette, sour cream or mayonnaise.

Note Avocado pears must be ripe and need to be handled with care. When diced they may be lightly mixed with single or mixed items such as grapes, apples, nuts, prawns, cauliflower, ham, cheese, chicken etc.

Avocado stuffed with cream cheese, walnuts and chives

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Ingredients:

  • 2 avocados
  • 1 lemon
  • 4 oz cream cheese mayonnaise
  • 2 oz chives
  • 2 oz walnuts

Method:

  1. Halve and remove the stone from the avocados.
  2. Scoop out some of the flesh to slightly enlarge the cavity and sprinkle with lemon juice.
  3. Mix this pulp with the cream cheese, mayonnaise, chopped chives and nuts, and season.
  4. Use to fill the avocado halves and dress on lettuce leaves.

Note Fillings can include shellfish, cheese and ham, tuna fish etc.